How to set up your newsletter on Beehiiv: Step-by-step Guide

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your First Beehiiv Newsletter Set up, design, and send your first email campaign.
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According to a recent study by Statista, around 78% of marketers consider email marketing as crucial to the success of their strategy.

Even more impressively, Litmus reports that for every dollar invested in email marketing, on average, one return on investment of $42. Faced with these figures, it is clear that mastering the art of the newsletter is crucial for any effective marketing strategy.

Beehiiv stands out as a powerful and innovative solution in this field.

Created by Morning Brew alumni, Beehiiv simplifies the creation, management, and optimization of newsletters.

beehiiv monetization statistics

It is a Substack alternative, but offering much more powerful options and levers for monetize your newsletter in order to increase your income.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you how to set up and use Beehiiv to turn your newsletters into real growth engines for your business.

Also discover our detailed review of Beehiiv for an in-depth analysis of its functionalities.

Let's get started.

The basics for setting up Beehiiv

1. Creating your Beehiiv account

choice of pricing plan in Beehiiv

Start your newsletter on Beehiiv starts with creating your account. Go to the official site and click on “Get started” at the top right of the home page.

Here are the essential steps:

  • Fill out the form with your personal information
  • Use a professional email address for more credibility
  • Choose a secure password
beehiiv sign-up form

Once registered, check your inbox. Click on the confirmation link to activate your account. Now you are ready to explore Beehiiv!

2. Customizing your profile

You have arrived on your dashboard, which may seem a bit intimidating from the start, but the onboarding process will quickly help you understand that this is not the case.

Customize your beehiiv profile page

Your Beehiiv profile and that of your newsletter are elements of your digital showcase. Take the time to refine it to captivate your future subscribers.

Access your profile by clicking on your avatar, then on “Profile”. Focus on these key elements:

Profile photo: Choose a professional image that reflects your personality.

Bio: Write a short, compelling description of your expertise and the value of your newsletter.

Beehiiv profile customization

Also add:

  • A memorable username
  • Links to your relevant social networks
added links to beehiive's social networks

A well-designed profile increases the trust of your visitors and encourages them to subscribe. Feel free to update it regularly to reflect your latest achievements.

Beehiiv tutorial: Setting up your newsletter step by step

1. Choice of name and description

Choice of newsletter name and description

The name of your newsletter is your first catchphrase. Choose it carefully so that it is:

  • Memorable
  • Relevant to your content
  • Easy to pronounce and write

Think about your target audience and in the tone you want to adopt. A catchy name can make all the difference in a potential subscriber's decision.

For the description, be concise but informative. Make it clear what subscribers can expect from your newsletter. A good description answers the question, “Why should I subscribe?”

Remember to include the frequency of sending to define the expectations of your readers from the start.

2. Custom design

Newsletter design elements

Attractive design reinforces your brand identity. Beehiiv offers tools to create a visually coherent newsletter.

Start by choosing a model that fits your style. Then, personalize it:

  • Adapt the colors to your graphic charter
  • Select legible and professional fonts
  • Integrate your logo for a distinctive touch

Practical advice : Test your design on different devices to make sure it looks good everywhere.

3. Broadcast settings

Broadcast settings are crucial for engaging your subscribers. Set a realistic sending frequency that you can maintain over the long term.

Choose your dispatch day and time wisely. Analyze your audience's habits to determine the best time.

Set up your sender address carefully:

  • Use a recognizable business address
  • Avoid generic addresses like “noreply@”

Consider setting up a reply address to encourage interaction with your subscribers. It can create a stronger connection with your audience.

Content creation on Beehiiv

1. Writing your first article

beehiiv newsletter page design

Setting up Beehiiv for your first article is an exciting step. Here's how to do it:

Log in to your Beehiiv account and access the “Content” section. Click on “New Post” to open the editor.

Choose a powerful topic for your first article. It should be relevant to your audience and reflect the expertise you want to share.

Structure your content clearly:

  • Start with a catchy title
  • Use subtitles to organize your ideas
  • Incorporate short paragraphs for easy reading

Remember to add visuals to make your article more engaging. Beehiiv makes it easy to insert images, videos, and even interactive elements.

2. Multimedia enrichment

beehiiv newsletter page design

This Beehiiv tutorial wouldn't be complete without talking about multimedia enrichment. Beehiiv offers plenty of options to make your content more engaging.

To add images:

  1. Click on the image icon in the editor
  2. Choose an image from your computer or use the built-in library
  3. Add a caption to improve accessibility

Pro tip : Use infographics to present complex data in a visual and engaging way.

You can also embed YouTube or Vimeo videos to enrich your content. Simply paste the video URL into the editor, and Beehiiv will take care of the rest.

Managing subscribers on Beehiiv

1. Importing your existing list

If you already have a list of subscribers, Beehiiv makes it easy to import them. Here's how to do it:

  1. Prepare your CSV file with your subscribers' information
  2. In the Beehiiv dashboard, go to “Subscribers”
  3. Click on “Import” and follow the instructions

Important : Make sure you have the consent of your contacts before importing them. This is not only ethical, but also legally required in many countries.

After the import, check that all data is transferred correctly. Beehiiv will show you a preview before finalizing the import.

2. Segmenting your audience

beehiive audience segmentation feature

Segmentation is a powerful tool to personalize your communications. To set up segments in Beehiiv:

  • Go to the “Segments” section in your dashboard
  • Click on “Create New Segment”
  • Define the criteria for your segment (for example, location, interests)

Use these segments to send targeted content. For example, you can create a special newsletter for the most engaged subscribers or adapt your content according to geographic location.

tip : Start with a few simple segments and refine them over time based on the performance of your campaigns.

Remember, good segmentation can significantly improve your opening and engagement rates.

Launch and follow-up on Beehiiv

1. Sending your first campaign

Setting up your first campaign on Beehiiv is a crucial step. Here's how to do it:

Go to the “Campaigns” section in your Beehiiv dashboard. Click on “New Campaign” to get started.

Choose the time to send wisely. Consider the habits of your audience to maximize the chances of opening.

Before sending, remember to:

  • Carefully review your content
  • Check all links
  • Send a test to yourself with the dedicated function and to a few colleagues

Beehiiv offers preview functionality. Use it to make sure your newsletter is displayed correctly on different devices.

Once satisfied, click “Send” or schedule it to be sent later. Beehiiv will take care of distribution to your list of subscribers.

2. Performance analysis

This Beehiiv tutorial wouldn't be complete without addressing performance analysis. Beehiiv provides powerful tools to track the engagement of your audience.

After sending your campaign, go to the “Analytics” section of your dashboard. Here you will find essential metrics:

  • Opening rate
  • Click-through rate
  • Unsubscribe rate

Pro tip : Don't just look at the numbers. Seek to understand what they mean for your content strategy.

Use this data to refine your strategy. For example, if the open rate is low, try to improve your subject lines. If the click-through rate is low, work on the quality of your content and your calls to action.

Continuous optimization on Beehiiv

1. A/B testing

A/B testing with beehiiv

Beehiiv allows you to carry out A/B tests to optimize your campaigns. Here's how to set them up:

  1. Create two versions of your newsletter
  2. Choose the item to be tested (object, content, delivery time)
  3. Select a sample from your test list

Beehiiv will automatically send both versions and provide you with detailed results. Use this information to improve future campaigns.

tip : Start by testing only one item at a time for clearer results.

2. Integrations and automations

Automation with beehiv

To get the most out of Beehiiv, explore its integrations. You can connect Beehiiv to various tools to automate your processes.

Some popular integrations:

  • Zapier for custom automations
  • Google Analytics (and the majority of tracking pixels) for in-depth tracking
  • Stripe for payments

These integrations can save you time and improve the effectiveness of your campaigns. Feel free to explore the options available in the “Integrations” section of your Beehiiv dashboard.

By following this Beehiiv tutorial and exploring all of its features, you will be well equipped to create engaging and effective newsletters. Remember that the key to success is continuous experimentation and listening to your audience.

FAQs

Is Beehiiv free?

Beehiiv offers a free plan to get started, with basic features. Paid plans are available for more options.

Can I import my existing subscriber list?

Yes, Beehiiv allows you to easily import your subscribers via a CSV file.

Is it possible to personalize the design of my newsletter?

Yes, Beehiiv offers numerous customization options to adapt the design to your brand.

Conclusion

30 days free trial of beehiiv

By following this guide to set up Beehiiv, you now have all the tools in hand to launch a successful newsletter.

From creating an account to analyzing performance, including customizing the design and segmenting your audience, Beehiiv offers a complete solution.

The benefits are numerous: better engagement of your audience, a detailed analysis of your performance, and a scalable platform that adapts to your needs.

Don't wait any longer to try Beehiiv and transform your content strategy with newsletters.

Get started today and see for yourself how Beehiiv can revolutionize your communication by email (and your income)!

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Stephen MESNILDREY
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